Mega Projects

Drawing on public spending, there are opportunities galore in big-ticket infrastructure projects - of Rs.1,000 crore and more - unfolding across sectors. CW details these.

India is acquiring quite the reputation for construction! Major infrastructure projects in the country that have been internationally lauded include the Metro Rail, Chenab Bridge, Qazigund Tunnel and Eastern Freeway along with the Golden Quadrilateral highway network, port connectivity and national waterways. In fact, the Global Construction 2030 report predicts that India will become the third largest construction market, behind the US and China, by 2021. Factors empowering this expansion include rapidly growing urbanisation, a growing economy and a government dedicated to boosting the nation's infrastructure.

On the mega scale, one of the world's largest infrastructure projects is currently being built in India, stretching from Delhi to Mumbai: The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Establishments along this corridor are expected to eventually contribute to 25 per cent or more of the country's GDP. This project along with other mega projects in the country - including the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Dibang Hydropower Project, GIFT City, Narmada Valley Development Project, and several others - has been making headlines with the opportunities they hold for the construction industry.

Also, according to recent reports, NITI Aayog will compile a list of 10 big infrastructure projects across sectors with the potential to be developed under the PPP mode. It is believed that the list will be prepared after receiving details related to big projects from various states. For these select projects, NITI Aayog will provide its expert advice to the states on developing infrastructure, which is expected to streamline the process and ensure timely completion.

Further, the performance highlights of the Project Monitoring Group as on January 30, 2017, reveal that over 2,300 issues raised on its portal pertaining to 598 projects û since its inception in 2013 - have been resolved (many require no further action), with anticipated investment of about Rs 2,470,000 crore. And 250 projects with 623 issues and an anticipated investment of about Rs 1,046,000 crore are currently under consideration.

Getting the job done is clearly the order of the day. Recently, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, expressed the need to enhance the power of NHAI to help fast-track clearances for highway projects in time, especially considering the government's target of achieving 40 km of roads a day. He has been quoted saying he expects at least Rs 10,000 crore worth of road construction from NHAI.

Evidently, infra continues to be the buzzword, with a major boost in the Budget this year across sectors. The focus on development and last-mile connectivity in coastal areas has paved the way for port-led development, a significant focus area in the Sagarmala programme as well. The Railway Budget merged with the Union Budget for the first time in 93 years, along with an allocation of Rs 1.31 lakh crore. Some notable projects in this sector include the Lucknow Metro, Mumbai Metro, the dedicated freight corridor and high-speed rail, among others. And, as for airports, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 4,500 crore for projects to revive 50 un-served and underserved airports as well as airstrips; this will connect many small cities and towns to the air network.

Indeed, big works are taking off, across the board, across the country. Last month, CW reviewed the government spend for key sectors and the opportunities on the anvil. This month, we detail the opportunities in select mega infrastructure projects - of over Rs 1,000 crore - that are unfolding pan India. Read on for more:

For the DMIC project, construction-related activities have been initiated at four locations. These include the activation area for the Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat admeasuring 22.5 sq km; Phase-I of the Shendra-Bidkin industrial area in Maharashtra admeasuring 8.39 sq km; the integrated industrial township project at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, admeasuring 747.5 acre; and the integrated industrial township project at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, admeasuring about 1,100 acre. Allotment policies have also been finalised at all the above locations and land is ready for allotment.

For the Shendra industrial area in Maharashtra, 24 plots have been allotted, majorly to SMEs. And, for the Bidkin industrial area, environment clearance has been accorded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and, accordingly, tender documents have been issued for the selection of an EPC contractor for roads and underground utilities or services for Phase-I admeasuring above 10 sq km.

Apart from these highlighted projects, developmental activities are also being taken forward for other projects, including a mass rapid transit system from Gurgaon to Bawal in Haryana and Ahmedabad to Dholera in Gujarat; an integrated multimodal logistics hub (IMLH) project, Nangal Chaudhary, in Haryana; the Global City project in Haryana; a multimodal logistics hub (MMLH) and multimodal transport hub (MMTH) in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh; multimodal logistics park in Sanand, Gujarat; a greenfield international airport project at Dholera, Gujarat; an aerotropolis project in Rajasthan; and an exhibition-cum-convention centre at Dwarka, Delhi.

For the projects under implementation, basic trunk infrastructure works are to be completed by the end of 2019. 'There is business for all sorts of construction machinery and equipment,' says Sharma.

'We have almost 600-700 large construction equipment, including pavers, loaders and excavators.

This apart, millions of tonnes of steel are already being used in Gujarat and Maharashtra. In case of allied industries, with the number of buildings coming up, there will be need for plumbing, flooring, furnishings, etc. So, works along DMIC bring an opportunity for all construction-related industries, including OEM suppliers.' Indeed, the multiplier effect is immense.

Estimated development cost: Approx $100 billionExecution period for projects under implementation: Trunk infrastructure works for Phase-I expected to be completed by the end of 2019

Dravyavati River Rejuvenation Project
A first-of-its-kind river rejuvenation project, Dravyavati River, also known as Amanishah Nallah - a vital natural asset of Jaipur - finds mention in history since the 15th century. Rapid urbanisation in the past three to four decades coupled with rampant encroachments in the river area and dumping of sewage, industrial wastewater and solid waste converted this once pristine flowing river to a cesspool. The project, being executed by Tata Projects, envisages the rejuvenation of Dravyavati River by course correction or strengthening of the channel, sewage interception, treatment and dispensing treated water into the river, groundwater augmentation, flood mitigation, value addition to social and commercial infrastructure, reduction in pollution and improving quality of life of Jaipur citizens by adding to its aesthetics. 'Rejuvenation will result in cleaner, clearer, odourless flowing water, suitable for survival of aqua life and the creation of a riverfront with better aesthetic surroundings,' says Vinayak K Deshpande, Managing Director, Tata Projects. 'The project will help prevent flooding as widening of the channel will allow excess water to be drained away.'

Estimated cost of construction: Rs.1,677 croreExecution period: Three years

Navi Mumbai Metro Line-1
The Navi Mumbai Metro Line-1 stretches from Belapur to Pendhar. The project's salient features include a standard gauge width of 1,435 mm and a traction system of 25 kv AC by overhead equipment (OHE). It incorporates a communication -based train control signalling system. Its three-car train will have a passenger-carrying capacity of 1,125; the six-car train will be able to carry 2,250 passengers. According to a CIDCO spokesperson, 'Approvals are in place for the project.' As for execution status, '80 per cent of the viaduct, 60 per cent of the stations works, 85 per cent of the depot-cum-workshop works, 97 per cent of the depot approach viaduct and 28 per cent of the rail system works has been completed.'Tenders for the project, including those for lifts, escalators and a building management system, are expected to be floated.

Estimated construction cost: Rs.3,043 croreExecution period: Expected to be completed by May 2018

Navi Mumbai International Airport
The greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed over 1,160 hectare in four phases to handle 60 mppa. It has been planned with two parallel and independent runways for simultaneous and independent operations. According to a CIDCO spokesperson, 'Phase-I of the project is expected to be completed in about three years from the date of financial closure. In this phase, the concessionaire has to develop the airport to handle a minimum of 10 mppa.'

The airport is proposed for development through PPP on a DBFOT model. The master planning will be done by the concessionaire (airport developer), who is currently being selected through an international competitive bidding process. The initial term of the concession is 30 years, which is extendable by another 10 years subject to satisfactory performance and no material default by the concessionaire.

Fresh bidding shall take place for the last 20 years of the concession. After the appointment, airport land development works will be assigned to the concessionaire, who will be then be responsible for implementation.

The project has been accorded major clearances from MoEF and the Ministry of Defence.

The Bombay High Court has permitted the clearance of mangroves in the airport area. Also, Stage-1 forest and wildlife clearance has been obtained; Stage-2 forest clearance is awaited from MoEF. Private land of 292 hectare, which comprises 25 per cent of the core area, is in the process of being acquired; this is expected to be completed shortly. Land acquisition awards for all 292 hectare of land and 15 hectare of gaothans have been declared, of which 189 hectare land has been taken in possession and the process for the balance land is underway. Rehabilitation and resettlement of about 3,000 households from the project area are also in progress. The pre-development works of airport land development and shifting of extra high voltage transmission lines are now being taken up by CIDCO to expedite the airport development.

The bidding process has been completed and the LoA will be awarded to the successful bidder after PMIC and Cabinet approval. After the issuance of the LoA, the concession agreement will be signed with the successful bidder. After this and achievement of financial closure, development work will commence. Procurement requirements will be as per the provisions of the concession agreement and tenders will be floated by the concessionaire for the airport development works.

DFCC (Eastern Corridor and Western Corridor)
Among the several large infrastructure projects being executed by Tata Projects is the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). 'The project is being built using automated track laying machines,' says Vinayak K Deshpande, Managing Director, Tata Projects. 'The rails being used are special Head Hardened 250 and 260-m-long rails.'

Set to change the way freight is transported in India, track infrastructure in the freight corridor will be suitable for running of freight trains at a maximum speed of 100 kmph. Using a mechanised rail track laying machine in India for the first time, Tata Projects has crossed the milestone of laying 150 km of double rail track. Also, for the first time in the country, 260-m rails are being Flash Butt welded and used to build this ambitious project of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL). The company has also won new orders in addition to existing ones in the Eastern (funded by World Bank) and Western DFC (funded by JICA).

Having commenced work on the Western DFC - a dedicated freight line connecting Delhi and Mumbai - the project is scheduled to take 48 months to complete. The machine lays the sleepers and special rails imported from Japan and clamps them together in an automated manner simultaneously. The axle load of the track will be 32.5 tonne, on par with tracks in Japan, compared to the current Indian rail tracks of 25-tonne axle load. The project is for civil and track works and will be executed in two contract packages: Contract Package-12 between Vaitarana and Sachin (186 km) and Contract Package-13 between Sachin and Vadodara (134 km).

Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)
The scope for MTHL includes a 22-km, six-lane bridge (about 16.5-km creek bridge and 5.5-km viaducts on land on either side). The project is being implemented on an EPC-design-build basis.

'The project will benefit the development of Navi Mumbai and parts of Raigad district because of the growth in industrialisation, housing and smart city,' says Prakash Mamdapure, Engineer-in-Chief, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). 'It will also foster faster connectivity with the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai Port Trust and JNPT, and save fuel and commute time owing to quicker connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Raigad and Mumbai-Goa highway.'

MTHL has received CRZ clearance, Stage-1 clearance for diversion of forest land, as well as other clearances and NOCs from authorities. The consortium of AECOM Asia Company-PADECO Co-Dar-Al-Handasah-TY Lin International has been appointed as general consultant. 'JICA has carried out the preliminary survey. It will provide ODA loan for up to 85 per cent of the project cost,' adds Mamdapure.

Applications from contractors have been received for pre-qualification (PQ) for three civil packages. Package-1 involves construction of a 10.380-km bridge section across Mumbai Bay and Sewri Interchange. Package-2 is for a 7.807-km bridge section across Mumbai Bay and Shivaji Nagar Interchange. And, Package-3 comprises a 3.613-km viaduct, including interchanges at State Highway-54 and NH-4B in Navi Mumbai. 'Post PQ, RFP has been issued to shortlisted bidders. The contractors are expected to be appointed by April 2017,' shares Mamdapure.

Nagpur-Mumbai Super-Communication Expressway
The Nagpur-Mumbai Super-Communication Expressway, popularly known as the Maharashtra Samruddhi Corridor (MSC), will assure sustainable development and is expected to buoy employment generation, agricultural growth, robust infrastructure and reverse migration. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) recently invited RFQ for 16 packages on EPC mode from global construction majors. Kiran V Kurundkar, Joint Managing Director, MSRDC, says, 'To prepare the DPR, we have divided the complete length into five packages.' To award the contracts, MSRDC has further divided this into 16 packages as one company cannot be awarded the complete length. Once the RFQ is complete, companies will be shortlisted and the corporation will issue the RFP.

MSRDC has indicated that Rs 24,000 crore will be the civil cost while contingencies, financing charges and IDC will be Rs 6,000 crore. The node development cost is Rs 2,500 crore, utility shifting will cost Rs 500 crore, and land acquisition will cost Rs 13,000 crore. With regard to forest clearances, Kurundkar shares, 'These are required and we have approached the forest authorities to grant us permission to acquire forest land. By June, we should be able to secure all clearances.'

'The main objective is to provide faster connectivity to JNPT,' he adds.

'Ten districts are being covered and they will be on a faster connectivity corridor.'

Moreover, travel time between Nagpur and Mumbai will reduce by half because, container traffic or goods that are transported from Nagpur to JNPT or Mumbai takes more than 16 hours. MSC will also have 23 new towns with truck terminuses, commercial sites, knowledge city, IT parks, manufacturing units, schools, educational institutions, hospitals, parks, etc. The eight-lane expressway envisages complete digital connectivity with an optical fibre network along the entire route. CCTV cameras and WiFi will be installed along the stretch.

Further, with this project, there is a big opportunity to bring in earthmoving and transportation equipment. Given that this expressway will be made of rigid pavement û a cement concrete road - all 16 packages will require 16 RMC plants. Kurundkar updates, 'By June, we should be able to award contracts for all the packages.' The actual groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in October.

Mumbai Metro Line 3
Traversing through congested areas, Mumbai Metro Line 3 is expected to be the next lifeline for the city. Daily ridership is expected to be 17 lakh passengers per day by 2031. And, when commissioned in 2021, almost 4.5 lakh vehicle trips will be reduced, resulting in reduction in fuel consumption by 2.5 lakh litre per day. This will improve the city's carbon footprint as well. Further, this corridor will connect the city's six business and employment centres that are unconnected by suburban trains today. Another important feature is the connectivity to both domestic and international airports, existing suburban rail, Metro Line 1, Metro Line 2 and the Monorail. So, there will be interchanges at appropriate stations, resulting in better connectivity for commuters. 'Civil construction has already begun and we have seven packages for civil work, each consisting of a twin tunnel of 5 km and three to five underground stations,' says Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC). She confirms that orders for tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) have been placed - there is an expected requirement of about 17 TBMs. 'These will start coming in from July 2017 onwards.'

As far as systems are concerned, the tendering process is in progress. 'We have two tenders for electric supply and power supply and substations as well as overhead equipment (OHE),' updates Bhide. 'Here, the pre-qualification (PQ) has already been done, and we have floated our RFP for that. Also, in the case of lifts and escalators, PQ RFP is in progress. For signalling and telecommunication, tunnel ventilation system and environmental control systems, the PQ is done and RFP is in process. For the rolling stock and automatic fare collection, the PQ process is still on.' Almost all approvals, including traffic clearances, are in place and 90 per cent of required CRZ clearances are in. In terms of tree-cutting clearances, the authorities have cleared almost all proposals except for one station, which is in process. Finally, for two stations û part of which falls in the mangrove area û forest clearance is in the final stage of approval and is expected soon.

The original DPR cost is about Rs 23,167 crore. But the civil construction û contracts for which have already been awarded and work started û is around Rs 18,000 crore. 'Heavy-duty cranes will be required; sourcing for rolling stock would be big as well as the tunnel ventilation system, signalling and telecommunication, automatic fair collection machines, etc,'

says Bhide. 'For the tunnelling construction itself, the contractors will require waterproofing materials and other chemicals as well as ancillary parts for tunnelling activity, and more.'

Sagarmala
In 2017-18, Rs 600 crore has been allocated for the Sagarmala programme. The flagship programme of the Ministry of Shipping, it encompasses capacity expansion and modernisation of ports along India's coastline, enhancement of port connectivity to the hinterland, port led-industrialisation to promote trade, and sustainable development of coastal communities. According to the ministry, 'The 400 projects identified are expected to mobilise investment of more than Rs 8 lakh crore and generate about 1 crore new jobs, including 40 lakh direct jobs, over a period of 10 years. These projects are expected to increase port capacity to over 3,000 mtpa by 2025 and generate annual logistics cost savings of close to Rs 35,000 crore.'

Sagarmala focuses on the development of inland waterways for both passenger and freight transport to decongest existing road traffic. The concept of æport-led development' is central to the Sagarmala vision with the thrust on logistics-intensive industries. The synergistic and coordinated growth of four components û logistics-intensive industries; efficient ports; seamless connectivity; and requisite skill-base û will lead to the unlocking of economic value and stimulate economic growth across sectors.

For the holistic growth of the Sagarmala programme, over 400 projects have been identified across following areas:
Port modernisation and new port development: A total of 189 projects worth Rs 1.42 lakh crore have been identified. The master planning for 12 major ports has been finalised, under which 142 port capacity expansion projects (cost: Rs 91,434 crore) have been identified for implementation over the next 20 years. Of this, 46 projects are already under implementation or awarded. Techno-economic feasibility reports (TEFRs) have been finalised for six new port locations: Vadhavan, Enayam, Sagar Island, Paradip Outer Harbour, Sirkazhi and Belekeri. While the DPR has been prepared for Sagar Island port, the ones for Vadhavan, Paradip Outer Harbour Port and Enayam are under preparation. For major port operational efficiency improvement, 69 initiatives have been implemented and 80 mmtpa of port capacity has been unlocked.

Port connectivity enhancement: 170 projects worth Rs 2.3 lakh crore have been identified. Twenty-seven rail connectivity projects have been identified, of which, 21 projects (~3300 km, total cost: Rs 28,000 crore) are being taken up by the Ministry of Railways and six projects (~151 km, total cost: Rs 3,590 crore) are to be taken up by through JV or NGR model. Seventy-nine road connectivity projects have been identified including 10 freight-friendly expressways, and 14 projects are under implementation.

DPR is under preparation for the heavy haul rail corridor between Talcher and Paradip. Five out of seven multimodal logistics parks are under implementation. Port-linked industrialisation: Thirty-three projects estimated at Rs 4.2 lakh crore have been identified. The perspective plans for 14 CEZs covering all the maritime states and UTs have been prepared. The master plans will be prepared in a phased manner with four CEZs in Phase-I. Twenty-nine potential clusters have been identified across the energy, materials, discrete manufacturing and maritime sectors. Master plans have been prepared for maritime clusters proposed in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The ministry is also developing a SEZ at JNPT, a free trade warehousing zone at Ennore, and smart port industrial cities at Kandla and Paradip.

Coastal community development: Projects worth Rs 4,216 crore have been identified. Also, the ministry is part-funding select fishing harbour projects under Sagarmala in convergence with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, and over Rs 56 crore has been released for eight projects so far, across Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore are already under various stages of implementation and development. More than Rs 390 crore has been released for 35 projects under Sagarmala, including unique and innovative projects such as a capital dredging project for the Gogha-Dahej RO-Pax ferry services project and RO-RO services project at Mandwa.

A TEFR is under preparation for the development of an underwater viewing gallery and restaurant on Beyt Dwarka Island.

Zojila Tunnel
The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) is undertaking the construction, operation and maintenance of the two-lane, bi-directional Zojila Tunnel with parallel escape (egress) tunnel, including approaches on the Srinagar-Leh section connecting NH-1 at 95 km and at 118 km through an EPC contract. According to the NHIDCL website, there are three ventilation shafts; two ventilation shafts will be used as construction shafts. While two faces will be open for working, only one face will be open for working round the year and work will not be possible on the other face for six months.

'The project is in the bidding process and the last date for receiving bids is April 30,' informs Anand Kumar, Managing Director, NHIDCL.

'We want to start construction by next year. Bids will be awarded in July and we expect work to start by August 1.' Bids will be floated separately for the tunnel and the approaches.

One of the most challenging projects ever undertaken in India, Zojila was initially being handled by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO); now, NHIDCL has taken charge. 'We are confident of awarding the work in time,' says Kumar. 'In fact, we have also rationalised some of the eligibility conditions to ensure fair competition.' Companies with experience in constructing a hydro, road or rail tunnel of minimum 5 km and diameter 5.5 m or more in the past 12 years are eligible to bid. Also, NHIDCL will provide the contractors 15 per cent (10 per cent for general and 5 per cent for machinery) as a mobilisation advance, which will be interest-bearing. 'We anticipate that the bidders can complete this tunnel in six years rather than the estimated seven years, for which we have added a bonus clause of 10 per cent,' Kumar adds.

Rohtang Tunnel
In 1983, the government conceived the idea of an all-weather route from Manali-Leh. In December 1996, RITES suggested a tunnel along the Manali-Sarchu-Leh route with a tentative 8.80 km starting from Dhundi and connecting Sissu passing under the Rohtang pass as part of the realignment.

The Rohtang tunnel, poised to be the world's longest highway tunnel, is being constructed at an altitude of more than 3,000 m. Parikshit Mehra, Lieutenant-Colonel, So-I Rohtang Tunnel Project, shares, 'The 8.8-km, single-tube tunnel is horseshoe-shaped. Its total width is about 10.5 m with an excavation diameter of about 13 m. Seventy per cent civil engineering work has been completed.

We have crossed the 582 m sheer zone (tunnel alignment).
As per a recent paper published for Tunnelling Asia 2017 under the aegis of the International Tunnelling Association, the progress in 2016 has been among the highest, with over 2 km of excavation achieved in a single year. The tunnel will expectedly be broken through within this year and multiple activities like benching, drainage, construction of an emergency egress tunnel and final concrete lining are being undertaken concurrently. Border Roads Organisation plans to dedicate the finished tunnel to the nation by mid-2019.

Mehra adds, 'We have received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security. Electrical and mechanical works are still in the tendering stage; procurement will commence for the ventilation works once the tender is accepted, which should be by mid-April.'

GIFT City
Spread over 886 acre, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is India's first operational smart city and first international financial services centre. There are around 100 companies operational at GIFT, which has created around 5,000 jobs. The total development will be around 62 million sq ft built-up area in three phases covering commercial, residential and social facilities. Of the 62 million sq ft built-up area, around 15 million sq ft has already been allotted to various institutions and developers. Ajay Pandey, Managing Director & Group CEO, GIFT City, says, 'Currently, 2 million sq ft built-up area is operational, and development work is on full swing for 3 million sq ft.'

The planning and design of the city has taken into consideration the micro-climatology to be maintained in particular locations. 'The city is built to adhere strongly to green building principles and every structure aims to achieve the highest standards of efficiency in terms of energy, waste management, quality of space and material efficiency,' says Pandey. GIFT City has next-class infrastructure for water, power, information and communication technology, an automated solid waste collection system, district cooling system and utility tunnel. Indeed, the project has regenerated the area as a high-quality, mixed-use district of residential, commercial and open space facilities that optimise land and real-estate values.

Total development: 62 million sq ft built-up area in three phases
Current status: 2 million sq ft built-up area operational, development work ongoing for 3 million sq ft built-up area

GMR Goa International Airport (GGIAL)
GGIAL, a subsidiary of GMR Airports (GAL), is developing the greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa. This project is based on the PPP model, on DBFOT basis. The concession to develop, operate and manage the airport was awarded to GAL on August 28, 2016, following an international competitive bidding process. The concession agreement was signed between GGIAL and the Goa Government on November 8, 2016. The concession period is for 40 years with a possible extension of another 20 years through a bid process.

GGIAL will initially be developed in stages to service about 5 mppa and will be scaled up as per traffic growth demands. It will be a full-service airport catering to domestic and international passenger besides freight services, and is expected to be in operation by May 2020.

According to a GMR spokesperson, 'The Goa Government is already in possession of the project land, which is going to be handed over to GGIAL shortly. Detailed design and engineering work is under progress. Aerial survey works have been completed and geotechnical investigation works are at an advanced stage of completion.' Plus, discussions are at an advanced stage with various banks and financial institutions for achievement of financial closure. Tenders will be floated during the next two months. The project has received environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment & Forests and the consent to establish has been received from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. Also, the company spokesperson confirms that the master plan approval is in process and other statutory clearances have been applied for; approvals are expected shortly. GGIAL will award the construction works in various packages by following an international competitive bidding process.

Kochi Metro
In Kochi, the Metro is a fully elevated, 25.612-km corridor. Aligned along the north-south axis on the NH, it comprises 22 stations. 'We are completing 11 out of 22 stations for the first phase,' shares Elias George, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL). 'We need to get the approval for the second phase - from JLN Stadium to Info Park.' The project's salient features include a 750 v DC third rail traction, CBTC system of signalling and train control, integrated multimodal transport facility, PPP for automated fare collection, a central command and control centre, solar panels on station roofs, vertical garden, WiFi, water transport connectivity, among others. George adds, 'Five per cent of the procurement is being done by KMRL, which includes station naming rights, ATM spaces, retail spaces, station advertisements, etc.' For retail spaces, the tenders are out. And the rest of the tenders have already been uploaded on the website.

Mumbai Coastal Road, Southern Part
According to a feasibility study, the 29.20-km Mumbai Coastal Road has been planned from the Princess Street flyover to Kandivali with a combination of roads on reclamation, bridges, elevated roads and tunnels, along with the construction of a seawall or breakwater in the intertidal zone. The project has been proposed in two parts: The southern part from Princess Street flyover to the south-end of Bandra Worli Sea Link (9.98 km) and the northern part from the north-end of Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Kandivali (19.22 km).

'The Mumbai Coastal Road is a first-of-its-kind mega project of roads on reclamation in India,' says Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). Tenders have already been invited for the southern part of the project on EPC basis, estimated at Rs 5,303 crore, and actual work is proposed to commence in October this year. 'We are in the main process of tendering. The RFQ for shortlisting bidders for the southern part has been published. Also, tenders for project management consultants have been invited. Both will be shortlisted by the end of April 2017. We have appointed the general consultant and are in the process of RFP.'

On approvals received for the project, Dr. Mukherjee adds, 'Several NOCs and clearances from the Centre and state have been sought. We have received most of the clearances and NOCs from Maharashtra Maritime Board, Public Works Department, Indian Navy, Coastguard, Harbour Engineer, Mumbai Heritage Committee, Fisheries Department and the High Power Committee, for example.' The proposal for the southern part of the Coastal Road for CRZ clearance has been recommended by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority to the Ministry of Environment And Forest, and has been considered positively on its merits by the Government of India.

Four-laning of Nagina-Kashipur section of NH-74 under NHDP Phase IV
PNC Infratech bagged the contract for the four-laning of the Nagina-Kashipur section of NH-74 from 71.61 km to 170.41 km in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh under NHDP Phase-IV. To be executed on EPC basis, the project comprises the widening of the existing highway for about 100 km. Fifty per cent of the proposed project will either have bypasses or new alignments for smooth traffic movement on the highway. A large number of bridges, vehicular underpasses, pedestrian underpasses, road-over-bridges, and culverts including service and slip roads will also be constructed as part of the project.

The project site establishment, including plant and machinery, has already been set up. As Yogesh Kumar Jain, Managing Director, PNC Infratech, shares, 'Certain statutory approvals have already been taken. The process of land acquisition, including new alignment sections, is underway and with the formation of new governments in both states, the acquisition process is expected to be expedited and completed in a time-bound manner.'

The process of land acquisition is not yet complete. However, PNC Infratech has mobilised the men, materials and machinery required, and is fully geared up to commence work. Certain preliminary and preparatory works are already underway. 'There is a huge requirement of construction materials for the project that includes more than 30 lakh tonne of aggregates, 3 lakh tonne of cement, 30,000 tonne of reinforcement steel, etc,' says Jain. 'All these materials are to be procured in a time-bound manner for uninterrupted construction activities.'

Nagpur Metro Rail
Nagpur Metro Rail has been divided into four reaches. Reach 1 includes the 5.6-km grade section. Sub grade work is complete; the work of ballast, sleepers and rail and viaduct is ongoing along with construction of stations. Reach 2 includes viaduct construction in the initial reach of Ramjhula crossing, which is in full swing. For the remaining viaduct, the tendering process is ongoing. In Reach 3, construction of the viaduct covering Rani Laxmibai Square to Lokmanya Nagar is going on as per schedule, along with station construction at various locations. The key component of Reach 4 is the zero mile station, for which work is ongoing. For the rest, tendering process is on. Construction of remaining stations is expected to start shortly. Presently, work is going on for over 50 per cent of the entire length. 'All necessary approvals have been obtained,' says Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro). 'The project includes a standard gauge of 1,435 mm, traction of 25 kv AC overhead equipment and maximum operating speed of 80 kmph.'

Procurement has been completed for construction of the viaduct and stations of Reach 1 and Reach 3, rolling stock, signalling system, and for the administrative buildings. According to Dixit, procurement is ongoing for: The rooftop boundary wall and ground-mounted solar PV project; construction of eight elevated metro stations and Nagpur railway station on the east-west corridor (Reach 4); 16 split heads and machine for tamping ballasted track laid and in the two maintenance depots; heavy-duty machines; design and construction of elevated viaduct of 6.836 km; machinery and plant for two rolling stock depots; ballast-less track of standing gauge North-South corridor of Line-1 and East-West corridor of Line 28; implementation of EMV-based, open loop-automated fare collection system extendable to NMC-managed buses and parking services; telecommunication system; 25 kv of flexible OHE sectioning posts; and fastening system for ballast-less track for the north-south and east-west corridors.

Estimated construction cost: Rs.8,680 crore
Execution: Expected to be completed by 2019; trial run in Reach 1 possible in second half of 2017